NLS Factsheets

Selected Veterans Organizations 2003

Veterans organizations assist eligible veterans in obtaining services and
benefits to which they are entitled and advocate on their behalf. Many
groups sponsor community service projects and civil, social, or athletic
activities. The online Directory of Veterans Service Organizations,
sponsored by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, is available
at <www1.va.gov/vso/>.

Blinded Veterans Association

Serves veterans who became blind or visually impaired during or after their
military service. Assists veterans in obtaining benefits and rehabilitation
training and in finding jobs. Offers scholarships to their spouses and
dependent children.

Chartered by Congress to provide free assistance to service-connected
disabled veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned
through military duty. Represents the interests of disabled veterans before
Congress and in the White House.

Disabled American Veterans

Provides services to meet the specific needs of disabled
veterans who are legally blind in both eyes or totally blind. Veterans can
hold dual membership in a local DAV chapter and the national chapter.

Enhances the lives of veterans with spinal-cord injuries or diseases by
ensuring quality health care, promoting research, and advocating for civil
rights and independence. Serves 2,300 members, most of whom reside in
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maine.

Serves veterans who have experienced spinal-cord injury or dysfunction.
Advocates for benefits and quality health care for its members, for research
and education on spinal-cord injury and dysfunction, and for civil rights and
opportunities that maximize the independence of its members.

Has 15,000 posts worldwide that are organized into fifty-five
departments-one for each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines. Offers assistance with
veterans' claims, military family support, and public policy advocacy.

Provides free counseling and claims assistance for eligible veterans and their
dependents. Advocates for veterans' benefits and services. Promotes
involvement in community activities and offers scholarships.

Jewish War Veterans of the United States (JWV)

Principal publication: The Jewish Veteran, 5/year, in print and online

Advocates for health and employment benefits. Supports community
projects and strong United States-Israeli relations by sponsoring missions to
Israel. Maintains the National Museum of American Jewish Military History.

Provides transitional and permanent housing for homeless and low-income
veterans and their families and services encompassing health, rehabilitation,
economic assistance, and education and training. Preserves the historical
contributions of minority veterans.

Congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans
and their families. Works to promote the full range of issues important to
Vietnam veterans and to change the public perception of these veterans.
Supports a national task force for homeless veterans and a national
scholarship fund.

Women Veterans of America (WVA)

Advocates for women veterans and for women currently serving in the
military by providing information and support, serving as liaison to
government agencies, assisting in obtaining Veterans Administration
benefits, and becoming involved in local and national issues pertaining to
women presently or previously in the armed forces.